Saudi prince asked when women can 'drive and fly'

By

Staff

PublishedSunday, June 05, 2011

Prince Khaled (Supplied)

A member of Saudi Arabia’s ruling family, visiting a local school, was surprised when he was asked by students if the conservative Gulf Kingdom would ever allow its women to drive cars and fly aircraft.

Prince Khaled Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz of Makkah went to the primary school in the western city on Saturday to brief teachers and students on a government development plan for educational institutions in Saudi Arabia.

“A school girl surprised the prince when she asked him if Saudi Arabia will set up a female aviation school so women can fly planes,” Sabq daily said on Sunday.

“The prince looked at her, smiled and said:’ Oh my daughter Sara…we have not yet agreed that women can drive on the ground and you want to fly in the sky.”

Another student, Abdul Basit Milibari, asked the Prince whether he supported Saudi women’s bid to end a long-standing ban on female driving.

Prince Khaled evasively:” This issue is now a headline in the media…my personal opinion is that of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques (King Abdullah) and the minister of interior Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz…….it is also the opinion of the whole society.”